Family’s $5M Gift Will Impact Stroke Care in York Region

June 26, 2017

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Siblings Edward Sorbara, Marcella Tanzola and Gregory Sorbara’s transformational gift of $5 million to MackenzieVaughan Hospital is inspired by a proud family tradition of generosity and community leadership.

They hope their leadership donation in this early stage of the fundraising campaign will inspire others who are as equally invested in the past and future ofVaughan to join the fundraising campaign that will bring a world-class hospital to the city.

Immigrating to Canada from Italy in the 1920s as a teenager, their father, Sam, established an insurance business in 1942 that laid the foundation for the family-owned real estate, planning, development, construction, investment and management firm that is theVaughan-based Sorbara Group of Companies of today.

Sam became a well-established leader in the Italian-Canadian community, helping many newcomers arriving from Italy in the 1950s to settle and prosper in their new community, Marcella recalls.

Sam passed away in 2002, 12 years after a debilitating stroke.

“OUR GIFT OF $5 MILLION TO MACKENZIE VAUGHAN HOSPITAL CONTINUES
A GIVING TRADITION, ONE THAT WE WERE REALLY BORN INTO AND CONTINUE TO EMBRACE AND SHARE WITH THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATIONS OF SORBARA FAMILIES.”

Says Greg, who is Co-Chair of the campaign cabinet for the Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign for Mackenzie Health.

Edward hopes their gift will inspire others in the building industry who have fuelled and benefited from the tremendous growth inVaughan and Richmond Hill to also support this much-needed hospital.

In recognition of their generous gift, the provincially acclaimed York Region District Stroke Centre at Mackenzie Health and the Integrated Stroke Unit at MackenzieVaughan Hospital will be named in honour of Edward Sorbara, Marcella Tanzola and Gregory Sorbara. The unit will feature 30 private and three semi-private rooms, with space for family to stay overnight. One of 17 district stroke centres in Ontario, Mackenzie Health is a leader in treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of stroke.

To view a video of the gift announcement and celebration at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital last November, please visit mackenziehealthfoundation.ca

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